New Zealand All Blacks to meet Ireland in Chicago

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Members of the New Zealand All Blacks perform a traditional haka before taking on the United States of America Eagles during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 74-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

CHICAGO — The Rugby World Cup champion New Zealand All Blacks will play Six Nations champion Ireland at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Nov. 5.

The game at the lakefront stadium is the centerpiece of a “Rugby Weekend” intended to promote the sport in the U.S.A. match between the USA Eagles, the American national team, and New Zealand’s Maori All Blacks will take place Nov. 4 in suburban Bridgeview, Illinois.

New Zealand’s All Blacks last played in the U.S. at Soldier Field in November 2014. They drew a U.S. record crowd of 61,500 and routed the USA Eagles 74-6. This time, organizers hope for a more competitive match to showcase rugby at an elite level to U.S. fans.